Capt. Brett Crozier, the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, at an all-hands call on the ship's flight deck in December.
US Navy/MCS Seaman Alexander Williams

Capt. Brett Crozier, the former commanding officer of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, The New York Times reported Sunday, citing two former Naval Academy classmates close to the captain and his family.

Crozier was fired Thursday after a letter raising alarms about the severity of an outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt leaked to the media earlier in the week.

The US Navy captain who was fired earlier this week over a letter raising alarms about the severity of an outbreak aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt has the novel coronavirus, The New York Times reported Sunday, citing two former Naval Academy classmates close to the captain and his family.

Capt. Brett Crozier reportedly began showing symptoms before he was relieved of his command Thursday.

The first coronavirus cases were reported aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt on March 24. Since then, the number has climbed to at least 155. Roughly half the crew has been tested.

Modly did not directly accuse Crozier of leaking the letter but said he allowed it to be distributed outside the chain of command, making it susceptible to a leak. He said the captain "demonstrated extremely poor judgment in the middle of a crisis."

"It was based on his view that he had lost faith and confidence in the captain based on his actions," Esper said. "It was supported by Navy leadership. And I think it's just another example of how we hold leaders accountable for their actions."

The USS Theodore Roosevelt's executive officer, Capt. Dan Keeler, has assumed temporary command of the carrier until the arrival of Rear Adm. Select Carlos Sardiello, who previously commanded the ship.

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